Engineers in the Ship Signatures Department are responsible for ensuring that the ship's systems, components, and structures are designed and built to meet a submarine's challenging noise requirements.

Ship Signatures Systems and Components

Ship Signatures Systems and Components engineers are responsible for the acoustic design of the propulsion plant and non-propulsion plant systems and components. This includes the design of systems and components to identify and incorporate noise control features to ensure the overall ship requirements are satisfied. The engineers in these groups work closely with both internal Electric Boat component and systems departments and the external component vendors. Collaboration between the Ship Signatures Systems and Components engineers and other Electric Boat disciplines in Design-Build-Sustain teams is a common job responsibility. The ability to effectively communicate the noise requirements to these other organizations is a critical skill. Job assignments include developing acoustic calculations, developing specification requirements, reviewing component vendor design submittals, and conducting or participating in component noise testing. Noise testing is performed at Electric Boat facilities, vendor facilities and government laboratories in support of ship construction.

Required:

• Bachelor of Science degree or higher in Mechanical, Aerospace, Acoustical, Ocean, or Electrical engineering
• Less than 4 years of related engineering experience 
• An active SECRET clearance, or ability to obtain a SECRET clearance 

Preferred:

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Acoustical Engineering, or Ocean Engineering
• Experience or interest in fluid systems engineering, structural engineering, signal processing, testing and data acquisition and technical report writing
• Course work or experience in acoustics, vibrations, or dynamics 
• Familiarity with machinery and system noise sources and mitigation techniques

Skills:

Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, are necessary for success as a ship signatures engineer. Developing productive relationships with internal and external customers is key, which may include collaborating engineering organizations, construction staff, government contractors and the Navy customer. Strong organizational skills to ensure project schedules and deadlines are met. Ability to utilize commercial and in house built software tools to perform calculations and write reports.